Check yourseif. Choose the right variant.

1. St. Andrew is the patron saint of

a) Scotland;

b) Ireland;

c) England.

2. England's national day falls on

a)  17 March;

b) 30 November;

c) 23 April.

3. The national emblem of Scotland is

a) rose;

b) thistle;

c) daffodil.

4. The dragon on the Welsh flag is

a) green;

b) yellow:

c) red.

5. The unicorn symbolizes

a) strength;

b) purity;

c) monarchy.

Describe the national flag and the royal coat of arms of the UK.

What can you tell about the national emblems of your country.

Sum up everything you have learnt about

1) the names that can be used to refer to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

2) the four countries making up the UK including their

a) capital;

b) number of counties;

c) territory;

d) population and density;

e) nationalities;

f)  languages;

g) national day and national emblems;

h) patron saint;

3) native-born United Kingdomers and immigrants in the UK;

4) nature of government;

5) national flag and coat of arms;

6) main cities.

 

Unit 3 THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

1. Practice the pronunciation of the words:

Constitutional, parliamentary, monarchy, European, community, Parliament, legislative, effect, executive, court, judicial, monarch, succeed, throne, however, decision, reign, ancient, through, examine, government, introduce, certain, royal, assent, hereditary, peer, spiritual, church, appeal, chancellor, concerning, conservative, labour, nucleus, discussion, therefore, considerable.

2. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

community - сообщество

Act of Parliament - парламентский акт, закон

legislative - законодательный

executive - исполнительный

to put a law into effect - проводить закон в жизнь

judicial-судебный                        ,

to reign - царствовать

the House of Commons (тж. the Commons) - палата общин

the House of Lords ( тж. the Lords) - палата лордов

to raise money - собирать деньги

bill - билль, законопроект

Royal Assent - королевская санкция

hereditary - наследуемый

peer - пэр, лорд

spiritual - духовный

temporal - светский

chamber - палата

Court of Appeal - апелляционный суд

Lord Chancellor - лорд-канцлер

concerning — относительно

general election - всеобщие выборы

the Conservative Party - Консервативная партия

the Labour Party - Лейбористская партия

majority - большинство

nucleus - ядро

to appoint - назначать

3. Read and translate the text:

STATE SYSTEM

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is one of the six constitutional (or parliamentary) monarchies within the European Community. The British Constitution is unwritten and is not contained in any single document. It is based on Acts of Parliament (laws).

The system of state power includes three branches: Parliament, which makes Saws (the legislative branch); the government, which puts laws into effect (the executive branch); and the law courts, which interpret Acts of Parliament (the judicial branch). The monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who succeeded to the throne in 1952, is officially head of all three branches. Everything is done in the Queen's name. It is her government, her law courts, her armed forces and so on. She appoints all the Ministers, including the Prime Minister. Everything is done however on the advice of the elected government, and the monarch takes no part in the decision-making process. So it is often said that the Queen reigns but does not rule.

The centre of British politics is Parliament, consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and the Queen as its head. Parliament is known as "Westminster", since it is housed in the Palace of Westminster, once a home of the monarchy. Like the monarchy, Parliament is an ancient institution, dating from 1265. It is the oldest Parliament in the world, that is why Great Britain is known as Mother of Parliaments.

Parliament's functions today are to raise money for government through taxation; to examine government policy, administration and spending; to discuss important political questions. But the main function is making laws. A bill (a proposal for a new law) may be introduced by any member of Parliament. But in practice most bills are proposed by the government. When both Houses agree on a text after debating, the bill is sent to the Queen for her Royal Assent, at which point it becomes an Act of Parliament. A bill which has been passed by the House of Commons is almost certain to become law, and about fifty bills become Acts each year. The Lords can only delay the process but cannot stop bills from becoming Acts. The Royal Assent is a formality: no monarch has refused a bill since 1707.

The House of Lords consists of more than 1,000 hereditary and life peers (who are not elected and not paid a salary). But only about 250 take an active part in the work of the House, including the Lords Spiritual (26 bishops of the Church of England) and the Lords Temporal, who undertake the judicial duties. (The chamber also works as the highest and final Court of Appeal). The chairman of the House of Lords is Lord Chancellor, who sits on a special seat called the Woolsack (a symbol of British welfare). The monarch's throne is in the Lords. The Queen sits on it once a year to make her speech at the opening of a new session of Parliament (concerning the government's broad programme).

The House of Commons consists of 659 members known as Members of Parliament (MPs for short). Each of them represents an area in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. MPs are elected by the adult population at a general election every five years. The head of the Commons is the Speaker.

The British parliamentary system depends on political parties. (Nowadays the Conservative and the Labour Parties dominate in the UK). The political parties choose candidates in elections. The party which wins the majority of seats in the House of Commons forms the government (about 100 ministers), and its leader usually becomes Prime Minister. The Prime Minister chooses about 20 MPs from his or her party to become the Cabinet of Ministers. The nucleus of the government, the Cabinet acts as one body with 'collective responsibility'. It meets at №10, Downing Street (the Prime Minister's residence), and its discussions are secret. All major decisions of the government are made by the Cabinet. Therefore, it is the Cabinet that forms government policy.

The Prime Minister has considerable individual power to introduce and control policies, to represent the nation in political matters, to run the government, to appoint Cabinet Ministers and to change the Cabinet. The Prime Minister also continues to lead the majority party. The second largest party becomes the official opposition with its own leader and "Shadow cabinet".

4. Fill in the blanks with the proper words and word combinations from the text:

1. The UK is one of the six constitutional monarchies within ....

2. The British Constitution is based on ... .

3. The Queen takes no part in ... process.

4. Parliament is housed in ... .

5. Britain's Parliament is the oldest Parliament in the world, that is why Great Britain is known as ... .

6. The main Parliament's function is ....

7. Parliament consist of....

8. A proposal for a new law is called ....

9. The House of Commons is made up of 659 members, known as ... .

10. ... is a symbol of British welfare.

11. The nucleus of the government is ....

12. The second largest party becomes ... with its own leader and "Shadow cabinet".

5. Prove that the following statements are right. Use the expressions:

If I am not mistaken..., It follows from the text that..., For all I know..., It is clear from the text.... It's evident..., It is a well-known fact that... .

1. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy.

2. The Queen has little direct power.

3. Great Britain is known as Mother of Parliaments.

4. A bill which has been passed by the House of Commons is almost certain to become law.

5. The Royal Assent is a formality.

6. The Prime Minister has considerable individual power.

6. Explain what is meant by the following:

1. The UK is a parliamentary monarchy.

2. The Queen reigns but does not rule.

3. The United Kingdom has no written constitution.

4. Parliament is known as "Westminster".

5. The House of Commons is a representative body.

6. The House of Lords is a hereditary body.

7. The British parliamentary system depends on political parties.

8. The nucleus of the government is the Cabinet.

7. Answer the following questions:

1. What kind of monarchy is the UK and what does it mean?

2. What documents is the British Constitution based on?

3. What branches does Britain's system of state power include?

4. Has the Queen much direct power?

5. Who is monarch now?

6. When was the last succession to the throne?

7. Where is Parliament housed?

8. What chambers does Parliament consist of?

9. What is the main difference between these chambers?

10. What is a bill?

11. What does the British parliamentary system depend on?

12. What political parties dominate in Great Britain?

13. What are the Prime Minister's main functions?

14. Who is Prime Minister of the UK now? What party does he lead?

15. What do you know about the previous Prime Ministers of the UK?

8. Read the text and answer the questions below it:

THE CROWN

The reigning monarch is not only the head of state but for many people a symbol of the nation's unity. The monarchy is Britain's oldest permanent institution. Its continuity for over 1,000 years was broken only once by the republic of Cromwell that lasted 11 years (1649-1660). The traditional announcement "The King is dead, long live the King" typifies the immortality of royal authority. The hereditary principle still operates. By Act of Parliament the monarch must be a Protestant. Succession is automatic on the king's (queen's) death, confirmed later by a formal coronation ceremony. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, for example, took place over a year after she became queen. Her royal title is "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith".

In law the monarch is head of the executive and of the judicial branch, head of the Church of England, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. However, since 1689, the monarch's sovereign powers have been formally limited by the idea that national sovereignty resides in "the Crown in Parliament" - the idea that the Crown is only sovereign by the will of Parliament.

But it is perhaps valuable to remember that Parliament was originally created in 1265 in order to assist the king. The House of Lords was to provide a council of nobility for the king, and the Commons - to provide him with money. The more money a king demanded, the more the Commons questioned its use. Because of its growing financial power, its ability to raise or withhold money, the House of Commons from the 17th century onwards gained the power not only in maters of finance but also of legislation over both the monarch and the Lords.

The remaining powers of the monarch are basically: to open and close Parliament; to approve the appointment of the Prime Minister, government ministers, officers of the armed forces, governors and diplomats; to appoint bishops and judges; to give Royal Assent to legislation; to give honours such as peerages, knighthoods and medals; to give mercy, remit sentences passed on convicted criminals. The Queen is visited regularly by her Prime Minister to receive an account of Cabinet decisions and to be consulted on matters of national life.

NOTES:

Crown - корона; престол; королевская власть; король, королева; государство

typify - служить типичным примером, олицетворять

immortality - бессмертие, вечность

realm — королевство

the Commonwealth - Британское Содружество Наций

sovereign - государь

withhold - удерживать, отказывать в

remit — смягчать

sentence - приговор

QUESTIONS:

1. How old is the oldest permanent institution in Great Britain?

2. When was the monarchy broken? How many times has it happened?

3. What does the announcement "The king is dead, long live the king" typify?

4. What is the royal title of Queen Elizabeth II?

5. When and for what purpose was Parliament originally created?

6. How and why did the monarch lose his absolute sovereign powers?

7. What are the remaining powers of the monarch?

Do you know that?

Who's who. There are five levels of hereditary peer that make up the aristocracy in Britain. Each has its own special ceremonial costume, and a specially decorated crown, which peers are entitled to wear on special occasions, such as a coronation or at the official opening of Parliament.

Duke. This is the highest rank in the peerage as well as the rarest title. In this country, the title has only been given to members of the Royal Family. The wife of a duke is a duchess.

Marquess. The first marquess in England was created by Richard II in 1385. Ten marquess were created last century. The wife of a marquess is a marchioness.

Earl. This is one of the oldest titles and comes from the ancient word for chief. Two prominent prime ministers were given the title in the 20th century. The wife of an earl is a countess.

Viscount. The first viscount was created in 1440, but the title has never been widely used. The wife of a viscount is a viscountess.

Baron. This is the lowest rank in the peerage and the most common title. All non-hereditary peers created today have the title baron or baroness.

NOTES:

Duke – герцог

duchess – герцогиня

marquess - marquis –маркиз

marchioness — маркиза

earl – граф

countess – графиня

viscount – виконт

viscountess – виконтесса

10. Read the text and answer the questions below:

POLITICAL PARTIES

Political parties in Britain began to form in the 17th century. During the Civil War (1640-1660) the division between the aristocratic supporters of the Anglican Church who fought for the King, and the middle-class Puritans who took the side of Parliament, reflected a difference in religious, political and economic principles which prepare the way for future party distinctions. With the restoration of monarchy (1660) these two groups were nicknamed, respectively, as the Tory squires and the Whigs. (The word "Tories" is an Irish name for thieves and was applied to the Conservatives by their opponents, but later they adopted the name to describe themselves. The Whigs is a rude name for cattle drivers).

In the 19th century the two-party system reached its solid modem form. By the 20th century the two parties were the Conservatives and the Liberals, direct descendants of the older Tory and Whig parties. Today, this two-party contest is between the Conservative Party and the Labour Party.

The Conservative Party is the party of the Right, the party of big business, industry, commerce and landowners. It has successfully portrayed itself as the party of patriotism and it appeals to a "property-owning democracy". It gives emphasis to the importance of law and order, and the maintenance of strong armed forces to protect British interests.

The Labour Party was formed in 1900 as the political arm of the trade unions. But now the trade union movement has lost the influence it once had over the party. Labour is the party of social justice, though its emphasis is less on equality than on the achievement of well-being and opportunity for ail members of society. It tends to give collective well-being of society slightly more importance than individual freedom.

The Liberal Party, which traces its origins to the 18lh century "Whigs", merged with the new Social Democratic Party in 1988 to become the Liberal Democrats. The party seeks to attract votes of the middle ground between Labour and the Conservatives. It is the party keenest on constitutional and electoral reform. It also prides itself on being less tied to either capitalist or union interests, and being free to offer more radical policies.

There are a number of minor parties in Great Britain: the Scottish Nationalist Party; the Welsh Nationalist Party; the Ulster Unionists, the Social Democratic and Labour Party and the Democratic Unionists in Northern Ireland.

 

QUESTIONS:

1. What events in the UK history influenced the two-party system formation?

2. What are the differences between the UK main parties?

3. Can you compare the party system in the UK and that in your country?

11. Speak about the UK system of government according to the plan below. Use the expressions:

To begin with..., As far as I know..., As it is known..., According to the text..., I'll consider..., It is to be noted that..., I'd like to say a few words about..., It is essential that..., It is important to say..., Finally..., To sum up everything ....

1. One of the six constitutional monarchies within the European Community.

2.  The British Constitution.

3. Three branches of state power.

4. The Queen and her powers.

5. "Mother of Parliaments".

6. Parliament and its functions today.

7. Parliament's original functions.

8. The House of Lords.

9. The House of Commons.

10. The government and its nucleus.

11. The Prime Minister and his (her) powers.

12. Political Parties (formation and distinctions).

 

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